Van Damage Repair: Keeping Your Van Working

The usual suspects: scrapes, dents and crumpled corners

The most common van bodywork repairs are down to a handful of causes. Long scrapes down the sides from tight lanes, creased rear corners from reversing, dented wheel arches, and bumpers cracked by low walls and kerbs. Roof damage from low barriers and overhead obstacles is also familiar to anyone who drives a tall van.

A scrape that has only taken off the paint is not an emergency, but it is not nothing either. Once bare metal is exposed, rust can start, and on a commercial vehicle that spends its life in the rain, it spreads faster than most people expect.

• Scrapes that have reached bare metal should be sealed before rust sets in
• Creased panels can hide damage to the structure behind them
• Cracked bumpers may leave sharp edges or loose fittings
• Roof dents can let water in around seams and fittings

Rear doors and sliding doors

Doors are where a damaged van starts to hurt. A rear door that no longer closes square lets in rain and dust and is awkward to lock. A sliding door that has been hit can jam, drag along its runner or fail to latch, and the hinges and tracks may be bent even when the outside panel looks only slightly dented.

If a door will not shut properly or the lock is not holding, that is a security and safety issue, not just an inconvenience, because your tools and stock are inside. Get these looked at before you worry about the paint.

What to repair first

A sensible order for most working vans is safety first, security second, weatherproofing third and appearance last. Anything affecting lights, mirrors, door catches, load security or the structure around the wheels comes before a scratch on a panel.

That does not mean looks are unimportant. A tidy van says something about your work, and customers notice. But if you have to choose, fix what could cause an accident, a failed MOT or a stolen toolbox, then tackle the cosmetic items in a quieter spell.

• Safety: lights, mirrors, bumpers, anything that could detach
• Security: door locks, latches and hinges
• Weatherproofing: seals, split panels and roof damage
• Appearance: scuffs, small dents and paint

Keeping downtime to a minimum

Time off the road is the real expense for a tradesperson, so tell the garage what you need from the van. If a job is booked for Monday, say so, and ask what the repair involves before you hand over the keys. Some work is quick and some depends on parts being available, and an honest conversation at the start avoids surprises.

It also helps to bundle jobs. If you know a panel needs paint and the sliding door is also stiff, having both looked at in one visit saves you coming back. At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we carry out van bodywork repairs and van panel and paint repairs, and we will go through the damage with you and explain how long we expect the work to take once we have inspected it.

Getting a clear picture before work starts

Take photos of the damage when it happens, with the date and what you remember. If another driver was involved or you are dealing with an insurer, that record is useful, and we do not give insurance advice here, but a clear record never hurts.

At the estimate, ask the garage what is repaired, what is replaced and whether anything hidden might emerge once panels are removed. Dents sometimes conceal damage to brackets, wiring or structure, and a good garage will tell you if it finds more than expected before carrying on.

Frequently asked questions